ZE ARTISTS

Coati Mundi

Biography

Coati Mundi aka « Sugarcoated » Andy Hernandez is a first generation Puerto Rican who grew up in Spanish Harlem, New York City. As a young teenager, the first band he played and recorded with was called Eddie Hernandez & his Orchestra.

Coati was a founding member, with Stony Browder, August Darnell and Cory Daye of the Grammy nominated group Dr. Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band best known for their top selling song « Cherchez La Femme ». After shedding the name « Sugarcoated Andy » and adopting a new stage persona as Coati Mundi he continued his odyssey as a founding member of the critically acclaimed Kid Creole & The Coconuts. There he flawlessly executed his duties as Co-Leader, Musical Director and Arranger. He also danced, sang and composed in fact his pioneering Spanglish rap song « Que Pasa/Me No Pop I » originally released as « Kid Creole & The Coconuts Presents Coati Mundi » was the first hit for the group garnishing them major international attention.

Hernandez is a self-taught musician. His main instrument is the vibraphone but he also plays piano, percussion, flute and is a music arranger and composer.
Coati worked on many of the Kid Creole ZE Records off shoot projects including arrangements for Gichy Dan & Beachwood #9, arrangements for Cristina and Music Producer for Don Armando’s 2nd Avenue Rhumba Band which spurned the #1 dance hit « Deputy of Love ».

In 1983, he released a solo album titled « Little Coati Mundi The Former 12 Year Old Genius ». Mundi composed, produced and provided the lead vocals. It contained a version of Captain Beefheart's « Tropical Hot Dog Night » featuring salsa singer Rubén Blades. The album also featured former Kid Creole & The Coconut singer Lori Eastside.

Hernandez appeared as an actor in the film Who's That Girl starring Madonna and Griffin Dunne. He wrote and performed a song for the soundtrack album called: « El Coco Loco ». Mundi has acted in several Spike Lee films, including Mo Better Blues, He Got Game and Girl 6. He can also be seen in the film We Own the Night.

He is credited as one of the music supervisors for the Miramax film 54 and as producer of several of the film's songs. Hernandez has composed music for various films, including Spike of Bensonhurst. He is also the composer and sound designer for a series of educational DVDs for children produced by Karyn Parsons (Fresh Prince of Bel-Air).

In December of 2010 he released a new solo CD « Coati Mundi Is Dancing For The Cabana Code In The Land Of Boo-Hoo » (Rong Music) Produced by E-Love & Coati Mundi . The recording has garnished favorable reviews and praises by the New York Times,Time Out magazine, Village Voice and others.